Talbott Springs Elementary School
Newsletter - 8/28/26
Greetings TSES Families,
We had a wonderful first week at TSES. We spent time building communities within our classrooms, reviewing schoolwide expectations for positive behavior, and getting to know our TSES Eagles. In addition, the TSES Administration visited 1st-5th grade classrooms and reviewed the HCPSS Code of Conduct and RISE behaviors with students. We are so excited to begin this year and look forward to all the progress that our students will make this year!
We are ending our first week with a 98.5% attendance rate. Way to go, Eagles! Let’s keep it up!
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we refine our arrival and dismissal procedures. Parents, please use crosswalk and sidewalk instead of walking through the parking lot/car loop with your child(ren). This is a safety concern, and we want to make sure everyone remains safe. Thank you for your help!
Please see below for important news and updates. This week's newsletter includes:
Important Dates
Family File
Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs)
Universal Screener Notification
Back to School Nights
Annual Title I Night
HCPSS Advisory Committee
Important Dates
September 7 - Schools Closed for Labor Day
September 8 - Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd Grade Back to School Night (see details below)
September 10 - 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Back to School Night (see details below)
September 23 - Annual Title I Night (details below!)
October 12 - Fall Picture Day
Family File
326 Family Files have been completed! We have 86 left to go. Please help us reach 100% by completing your Family File today!
Every year HCPSS parents must complete a Family File for each child. HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. HCPSS requires that your Family File before your child(ren) can attend a field trip. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect PARENT ACCOUNT and selecting the MORE OPTIONS tab on the left and then click on Family File.
Once logged in, you will be asked to update or provide the following information:
- Student Information
- Parent/Guardian Contact
- Emergency Contacts
- Medical Information
- Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
- Photo Approval Data Confidentiality
- PTA/PTSA Directory
Again, it is important that you complete the Family File in order to receive the name of your child's teacher for the upcoming school year.
https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-quick-guide.pdf
FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (ENGLISH) - https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions.pdf
FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (SPANISH) - https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions-spanish.pdf
Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs)
Many HCPSS families may be eligible to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program.
Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart dual enrollment tuition, discounted internet through the Comcast Internet Essentials program, and more.
Families must submit a new application every school year. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will continue to receive benefits. Any student whose family has not filled out an application by the 30th school day will have their status changed to full pay until a new application is received.
Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. It is very important that applications are filled out accurately and completely.
Additionally, I want you to know that there are school staff available to support you and your child.We have numerous supports in place, and I encourage you and your child to take advantage of them whenever they are needed.
Here are the support staff available at our school who can provide supports along with your child’s teachers and administrators:
Jenny Rothenberger, Family and Community Engagement Liaison - jenny_rothenberer@hcpss.org
Autumn Joiner, Black Student and Achievement Program Liaison - autum_joiner@hcpss.org
Jessica Pena, Hispanic Achievement Liaison - Jessica_Mejia-Pena@hcpss.org
Answers to frequently asked questions on HCPSS meals and additional meals/nutrition assistance programs can be found on the HCPSS Help site. If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/FARMs or contact Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743 or foodsvc@hcpss.org.
Universal Screener Notification
In accordance with Maryland’s Ready to Read Act (2019), COMAR (2026) and the direction from the Howard County Board of Education, all Howard County Public School System students in kindergarten to grade 5 will participate in the 2026 - 2027 administration of the Amplify mCLASS with DIBELS 8th Edition universal screener to identify potential reading difficulties during the following windows.
Beginning of the year (BOY)
September 1, 2026 - September 18, 2026
Middle of the year (MOY)
January 11, 2027 - January 29, 2027
End of the year (EOY)
May 10, 2027 - May 28, 2027
How will the results be used?
Performance is an indicator of overall reading status and is not intended to be an in-depth or comprehensive measure of reading. Just like using a thermometer to take a temperature, which provides a quick indicator of general health, these quick assessments provide information about reading health on particular early reading skills.
A student’s scores on the screener give school staff information about whether or not a student is on track for grade-level reading success. School staff can quickly identify students who may require extra help. Parents and guardians will receive a home report with their child’s scores.
Some information on this parent notification is taken directly from the Ready to Read Act and COMAR, while other content was summarized to reflect HCPSS procedures.
Maryland State Department of Education and Ready to Read Act
Back to School Nights
Mark your calendars for our Back to School Nights! We hope our parents and guardians can join us for these special nights to learn more about your child’s grade level for the new school year.
Grades K-2 Back to School Night @ 6:00-7:00 pm
Advanced Programming (previously Gifted & Talented) Back to School Night @ 5:30-6:30 pm
Grades 3-5 Back to School Night - 6:00-7:00 pm
Annual Title I Night
Please join us for our Annual Title I Night to contribute to setting goals for connecting the school to your home!
Date & Time: September 23, 2026, from 6-8pm
Dinner and childcare provided!
RSVP by 9/18: https://forms.gle/YBHJoNUUku7qXjiZ9
HCPSS Seeks Advisory Committee
HCPSS Seeks Advisory Committee Members by Sept. 11: HCPSS is seeking community members to serve on curriculum advisory committees, which provide a forum to share ideas and support continuous academic excellence. Interested stakeholders should submit an online interest form by September 11. Please click here for more information and to submit your application.